Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Why Is There So Many 22 mag Haters out There?

I call BS on that.
Here is the end summary of what Chuck Hawks had to say after and extensive comparison of the two rounds. And I'd say he is about a knowledgeable as most in his field.


Summary and conclusion

The .17 HMR and .22 WMR are both useful varmint and small game cartridges. Ammunition and rifles for both are widely distributed and commonly available. Recoil and muzzle blast are low for both, particularly from a rifle. They are good cartridges for use in semi-populated areas.

.17 HMR ammunition is generally more expensive than .22 WMR ammunition, but the difference will not be an unbearable burden to most small game and varmint hunters. For inexpensive practice at the range, neither is in the price class of the .22 Long Rifle.

Used with proper ammunition, the .17 HMR has an advantage in velocity, trajectory, and accuracy. The .22 WMR has an advantage in energy, bullet frontal area, sectional density, and consequently killing power.

After researching and writing this article, I have reached a conclusion about these two cartridges. I would favor the .22 WMR for shooting small game and varmints within 100 yards, and the .17 HMR if shots often run much beyond that distance.



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http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm

edited to add link

It depends on what you hunt. The 22 mag is useful for woodchucks, coyotes, and badgers etc. larger animals than say rabbits and squirrels. The 22LR and 17HMR have their niche as well. Smaller animals longer range etc. The 17HMR is rough on meat, but with prairie dogs, ground squirrels etc I don't care about the meat but want the range and accuracy. Squirrels, rabbits, grouse etc the 22LR works for me. The one time I went after a coyote I wanted it gone and used a 243. If you have the limited need for a 22 mag then fine, for myself I do not. It does very little that my 22LR and 17HMR can not do. If it was what I had I would use one, but for me to go out and get one, even a 22 mag barrel for my Sako Quad, I do not have any need for one.

I picked up a CZ .22 mag. several years ago, and with a good scope, the accuracy is outstanding.. During the summer mths. it it one rifle that always goes in the pickup and along on camping trips.. My only regret is it is very light..I would prefer a heavier rifle.. But accuracy and killing power on p. dogs, jacks and rock chucks is excellent.. I did try a 17 HMR, but sold it shortly after the purchase.. I have almost purchased another several times.. But when I consider stocking up on ammo, the rifle purchase, scope purchase, I can buy lots of .22 mag ammo for the rifle I have.. I know VarmintGuy, really likes his 17's, and the glowing reports of their use on gophers may still lead me down the .17 trail.. But I find the .22 mag. very, v ery useful in hunting varmints.. With a rack of common .22's, a Hornet and .222's though Swifts, I find it is a prefect addition to my varmint hunting battery..

I bought a .22 magnum in a Winchester lever action back in the mid 1970's and it instantly became my favorite rifle. It will also be one of the last that I will part with. miles

I know what you mean. I love mine. My 9422m was mnfg in 72 at new haven conn..
It is one heck of a shooter too. I wouldn't take 800 dollars for it.



And just to show that I'm not biased, Here is my .17 cals.
A cz 452 american and a s&w 647 six shooter

See Smith and why I started this thread was in my youth I left behind the 22 for bigger and better things > like the 375H&H. but after 30 years I find I want a 22 , is that so wrong. In my youth I found the 22long lacking {and I shot a lot 22long bullets} I dont want to reload because I am tired of it , only if I can have one small bore that I dont have to reload for would be great! Ya I Have a 220 swift> but Again I have to reload. so whats the best small bore and no reloading is the 22long, 22 mag and the .17.

Depends on what you're going to use it for--but if I were going to have only ONE of those it would be a .22 Long Rifle.

Depends on what you're going to use it for.
I dont understand this???>Punch paper or kill???

bcd,does that stand for bad conduct discharge?

I dont get it< please tell me if Im wrong ??? They say a 22 mag has twice the killing power of the 22 long and .17 > but the long and .17 print better pictures on paPER> I will take the killing power! or is there something wrong with me?

yes

Do what? I have nothing against 22mag.

I love all of my .22 mags. When fed its favorite load, my heavy barreled Savage in .22 mag will shoot groups right alongside my almost identical heavy barreled Savage in 17hmr with its favorite load.

I like the .17 for ground squirrels but anything bigger like jack rabbits or feral cats, I'll take the .22 mag every time.

Like Mule Deer and a few others here, I like the .22 mag for jack rabbits and larger varmints. For ground squirrels and prairie dogs, I like my .17 HMR or a .22 LR.

I tryed a 17hmr here in SD and the wind just blew the bullet all over the place. I then bought a 22wmr and it held tighter groups in the wind at 100 yards. I know it doesn't make much sense because the 17 gets there faster, but the 22wmr in my experience wasn't soooooooo much effected by the wind. the 22wmr hits harder on bigger creatures too.

Elmer Keith > THE MORE Gun the better!

punching holes on paper is great but killing power is by weight!

So a bowling ball thrown at an elephant is more effective than a .459 Lott? Sorry - I don't buy that there is one factor in killing power. It takes many things - velocity, bullet construction, etc. Weight is just one factor.

Elmer also said the 7x57 was not a good choice for medium game ,but never used one himself.........
He was old and senial before the advent of good bullets and truly accurate rifles. His track record is from a time just after black powder and before modern technology. Good thing there was alot of game and few hunters in the West then...........................:)

If you can throw it at 2200 ft per second then I'd say yes, the elephant would be just as dead.
And no doubt, you would be the highest paid player in the Major leagues....